Acting Captain Ryan Harold Reesor

Ryan Harold Reesor, 45, raised in Haliburton County and resident of Midhurst, Ontario, passed away suddenly in a tragic accident on May 17th, 2023. Ryan was born on November 25, 1977 to Diana and Ron Reesor. Loving husband and best friend of Amy Reesor and dedicated, amazing father to Anson and Anna. Brother to Alyna (Chris), son-in-law to Linda (Stu) Brandon, brother-in-law to Emily Brandon (Dan). Fun and caring uncle to Thya, Jake, Fox, Zane, and Elowyn.

After graduating from Haliburton Highlands Secondary School, Ryan was a proud graduate of Humber College’s Pre-Service Fire program. He worked for many years with his parents at their family business, Ox Narrows Lodge, as well as building homes and providing tree services across Ontario. Ryan dedicated over 27 years to the fire service, with Algonquin Highlands and the City of Toronto, as a firefighter, captain, chief of training and technical specialist and expert in rope rescue, confined space, swiftwater, and auto extrication. He was a leader and mentor in both departments. He was also a caring and compassionate first responder, ensuring that the patients he worked with, especially at medical calls, were treated with warmth, respect and dignity.

He loved his job and the people he worked with. He cherished the conversations, laughter, and memories shared with his friends and colleagues. They were his second family. Ryan cared deeply for the communities in which he lived and worked, always available to help a friend or neighbour. He was a jack of all trades and master of many. There isn’t anything that he couldn't build or fix. Ryan loved to cook for his family and at the fire hall. He was a talented and creative craftsman. He loved drawing and crafting with his daughter, tinkering with his son, and building lego with both of them. Ryan was a curious,smart and critical thinker and that led him to continuing his education at Toronto Metropolitan University, recently completing a certificate in Disaster and Emergency Management and almost finishing his degree in Public Administration.

Ryan cherished his relationship with his parents and sister and loved them all so much. He worked to ensure that they were cared for and helped them whenever he could. The time he spent with his Dad fishing, building, and fixing, and the wisdom garnered from his mom’s work ethic, sense of humour, business prowess, and incredible culinary skills carried with him through the years. Ryan also loved his sister deeply and treasured their conversations and time spent together. He often shared stories with his kids of his childhood adventures with Alyna.

Partner to Amy for over 26 years, Ryan was her rock and highschool sweetheart. Dancing in the kitchen, adventuring, bringing her flowers, building her garden boxes, doing chores so she could sit and read a good book, he was the best husband one could ask for. Ryan was the love of their lives, determined to provide for his family and give them the best life possible. His family meant more to him than anything else.

Ryan’s favourite place in the world was the cottage. It was at the cottage where Ryan was his most relaxed and joyful, swimming with his children and spending evenings around the campfire. He loved cottage friends and neighbours and was so proud when it was his turn last year to be “Mayor” of that small community. He helped maintain the landscape of the shared space and the hearts of the community.

Ryan’s greatest accomplishment and what he was most proud of are his children. Ryan laughed and played with Anna and Anson every day, he snuggled them and provided comfort, he volunteered in their classrooms, biked with them to school, and spent time everyday outside with them. He taught them the importance of asking questions and learning, to be kind and helpful, to think outside of the box, and he instilled them with confidence and love.

A visitation will take place at Church On The Queensway, 1536 The Queensway, Toronto on Thursday May 25, 2023 from 10am until 12pm. The Celebration of Ryan’s life will commence at 12pm. Friends, colleagues, and loved ones are encouraged to gather together and celebrate Ryan’s life in the way that is most meaningful to them.

A GoFundMe account has been set up to provide support to Ryan’s children as they grow. Donations can also be made to children’s Camp Bucko